Jim Messina: Obama Campaign Will Keep Infrastructure Alive

WASHINGTON -- The campaign is over, but the machinery that put President Barack Obama back in the White House isn't being placed in mothballs. Campaign manager Jim Messina signaled Tuesday that Obama For America will play a role in the legislative process -- beginning with pending fiscal cliff negotiations.

Speaking at a POLITICO Playbook breakfast in Washington, D.C., Messina was reticent to explicitly answer the question that has been trailing the campaign since the presidential election two weeks ago: What happens to the political machine that created the two largest grassroots campaigns in history, that elected and reelected Obama in 2008 and 2012?

"We don't know,” Messina said, noting that per Federal Election Commission law, the campaign itself has to shut down. “Some of it will absolutely live on,” he added, pointing to the social tools that defined the OFA operation’s technological strategy.

That infrastructure includes Dashboard, the social network built by the Obama campaign to connect and organize over one million volunteers across the country, and tracking models that enabled staff to monitor support in critical swing states. Their models, Messina said, estimated the president would win Florida by 0.2 percentage points and accurately predicted early voting within a percentage point.

“All of those things, I hope every campaign uses and I hope becomes important,” Messina said. But OFA will not be selling access to tools such as Dashboard, he said, emphasizing the need for future campaigns to establish their own movements.

“I want to be firm about this -- you can't just hand this to the next candidate for president,” Messina said. “This organization was built for people who support this president.”

He added that supporters want to remain involved in shaping and supporting the president’s agenda over the next four years, and identified Dashboard as a means for them to connect with members of Congress during the critical fiscal cliff talks.

The president himself made a push to 30,000 of his top campaign activists last week in a conference call, as part of the bid to keep them engaged in the political process, beginning with upcoming tax and budget negotiations.

"We are going to have some triumphs and some successes, but there are going to be some tough days, starting with some of these negotiations around the fiscal cliff that you probably read about, making sure that our tax system is fair,” Obama said. “So we are going to need you guys to stay active. We need you to stick with us and stay on this."

Messina expressed confidence that supporters would indeed remain active and stay on during the course of the president’s second term. He even sent an email to the OFA database on Sunday evening to solicit feedback on not just the campaign, but what the group would like to do down the road.

“People just spent five years winning two elections together,” Messina said. “They're not now just going to walk away.”

Messina said some important decisions about the operation’s future, including his own role within it, should be made by the president’s inauguration in January. But one thing is clear -- the movement will live on, its fate determined by the network that helped build it.

“You can’t run two presidential campaigns from the grassroots," he said, "and say now we’re going to run this from D.C."

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US President Barack Obama points at supporters as First Lady Michelle Obama gives the thumbs-up, flanked by Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama waves to his supporters after his speech at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. At right is Vice President Joe Biden. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama flashes a thumbs up as he leaves the stage with Vice President Joe Biden at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

President Barack Obama and wife Michelle is holds hands with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill following Obama's victory speech to supporters in Chicago early Wednesday, Nov. 7 2012. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

President Barack Obama with first last Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden celebrate on stage at the election night party at McCormick Place, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

US President Barack Obama accompanied by daughter Malia, First Lady Michelle and daughter Sasha waves to supporters as he arrives on stage on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama claps as he arrives on stage to deliver his acceptance speech on November 7, 2012 in Chicago. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US First Lady Michelle Obama hugs US President Barack Obama as they celebrate on election night November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama won re-election to a second 4-year term. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

(L-R) US First Lady Michelle Obama, US President Barack Obama, US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden celebrate on election night November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama and Biden won re-election to a second 4-year term. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama (2nd L), First Lady Michelle Obama (L), Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden wave to supporters following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to a emphatic re-election win over Mitt Romney, forging new history by transcending a dragging economy and the stifling unemployment which haunted his first term. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama (2nd L), First Lady Michelle Obama (L), Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden wave to supporters following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama hugs his daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) wave to supporters on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

(From L-R) First Lady Michelle, US President Barack Obama,Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden acknowledge supporters following Obama's victory speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle celebrate winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

(From L-R) First Lady Michelle, US President Barack Obama,Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden acknowledge supporters following Obama's victory speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia (R) and his wife Michelle in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his wife Michelle after delivering his victory speech ion Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama, flanked by First Lady Michelle Obama, points to his partner Vice-President Joe Biden, followed by Second Lady Jill Biden following his victory speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama celebrates on stage with his wife Michelle after delivering his victory speech ion Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama celebrates with his daughters Sasha (2nd L) and Malia (R) and US First Lady Michelle Obama in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Confetti rains on the stage as US President Barack Obama celebrates his victory in the presidential election in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

(From L-R) First Lady Michelle, US President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden acknowledge supporters following Obama's victory speech in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama celebrates with First Lady Michelle Obama on stage on election night in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama celebrates with his daughters Sasha (R) and Malia (2nd-L) and US First Lady Michelle Obama in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

(From L-R) US President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, Second Lady Jill Biden and First Lady Michelle acknowledge supporters on election night in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle and daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) wave to supporters on election night in Chicago on November 6, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election in Chicago November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama gives a thumbs-up after winning the 2012 US presidential election in Chicago November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama (C) applauds at supporters on election night in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama (C) celebrates with vice president Joe Biden and his family members along with the First Family members on election night in Chicago on November 7, 2012. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama arriveS on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama smiles as First Lady Michelle Obama gives the thumbs-up following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama (2nd L), First Lady Michelle Obama (L), Vice-President Joe Biden and Second Lady Jill Biden wave to supporters following Obama's speech on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. President Barack Obama swept to re-election Tuesday, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO/Jewel Samad (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden celebrate on stage after Obama delivered his acceptance speech on November 7, 2012 in Chicago. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by transcending a slow economic recovery and the high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama hugs his daugher Sasha after his speech as his wife Michelle and daughter Malia gather on stage at his election night party Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Chicago. President Obama defeated Republican challenger former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Vice President Joe Biden holds on to President Barack Obama after delivering his victory speech to supporters gathered in Chicago early Wednesday Nov. 7 2012. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 06: U.S. President Barack Obama walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to deliver his victory speech on election night at McCormick Place November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama won reelection against Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama arriveS on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: People cheer as television news reporters call a victory for President Barack Obama at the Community Coalition election night party during the U.S. presidential election on November 6, 2012 in the South Los Angeles section of Los Angeles, California. The Community Coalition was founded by U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass in 1990 to help South L.A. communities that had been devastated by the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic. Voters went to polls in the heavily contested presidential race between incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

People cheer as early results show President Obama in a lead during a Democratic victory party on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

People celebrate the victory of the President Barack Obama in front of the White House in Washington on November 7, 2012. Obama was re-elected late Tuesday, making history when he won a second term in the White House and defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney, networks projected. AFP PHOTO/Mladen ANTONOV (Photo credit should read MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and family arrive on stage after winning the 2012 US presidential election November 7, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama swept to re-election, forging history again by defying the dragging economic recovery and high unemployment which haunted his first term to beat Republican Mitt Romney. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Ryan Charchian, 18, of New York, hugs Allie Rapa, 19, of New York after news reports projected President Barack Obama to win a second term as they celebrated in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Roland and Natalie Jones celebrate as President Barack Obama is predicted as the winner over challenger Mitt Romney at a Colorado Democrat's election party at the Sheraton Hotel in Denver on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Supporters of US President Barack Obama celebrate as CNN projects victory for Obama on election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. US President Barack Obama was re-elected Tuesday, November 6, 2012, television networks projected -- only the second time in several decades that a Democrat has won a second term in the White House. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

Supporters of US President Barack Obama celebrate election night November 6, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. Obama was re-elected late Tuesday, making history when he won a second term in the White House and defeated his Republican challenger Mitt Romney, networks projected. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Supporters of President Barrack Obama celebrate in Times Square as television networks call the election in favor of President Barack Obama on November 6, 2012 in New York City. According to network projections incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama has won a second term. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

People celebrate on hearing that President Barack Obama is predicted to win the election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

President Barack Obama supporters celebrate televised reports of his projected re-election for president of the United States during a rally at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

People celebrate on hearing that President Barack Obama is predicted to win the election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

Democrats celebrate reports that President Barack Obama won the election at the Ohio Democratic party election night celebration early Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Sylvia Williams celebrates after hearing that President Barack Obama is predicted to win the election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in Burlington, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

People celebrate in Times Square as US networks projected that President Obama has been re-elected during the 2012 Presidential Election in New York, New York on November 6, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Mehdi Taamallah (Photo credit should read MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images)

The Rev. Jesse Jackson pumps his fist after reports display that President Barack Obama won the election at the Ohio Democratic party election night celebration early Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Starlette Dossou and Rachelle Zanders both of Des Moines, Iowa, celebrate after projections that President Barack Obama was the winner of the election during an election night rally, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Justin Hayworth)

Villagers at an all-night party to watch the U.S. presidential election celebrate after a television station called the result in favor of President Barack Obama, in the village of Kogelo, home to Sarah Obama the step-grandmother of President Barack Obama, in western Kenya Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Anita Flanigan, left, and Renee Drake react after President Obama reaches the 270 Electoral College votes during the Michigan Democratic election night party at the MGM Grand Detroit, following Election Day, early Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

People celebrate in Times Square as US networks projected that President Obama has been re-elected during the 2012 Presidential Election in New York, New York on November 6, 2012. AFP PHOTO/Mehdi Taamallah (Photo credit should read MEHDI TAAMALLAH/AFP/Getty Images)

Anita Flanigan, left, and Renee Drake celebrate as President Obama reaches the 270 Electoral College votes during the Michigan Democratic election night party at the MGM Grand Detroit, following Election Day, early Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)